Constant access to fresh water is one of the most important conditions for comfort in your home. The main water line, which comes from the plumbing system, supplies water to every part of your home, from the washing machine to the bathtub, and everything in between. That’s why it’s very important that your water supply remains in good working order.
If you’re experiencing low water pressure, the water from your sink has a bad odor or doesn’t look right, or water is pooling in your yard, it may be time to replace your water line. But how much does it cost to replace a water main line? Here we will tell you all the necessary information about replacing the water main line.
Contents
What Are the Average Prices of Water Main Replacing?
The water main is the main underground pipe in the water supply system of the city. It is a large artery that carries water to small pipes on the way to homes and businesses. Piped water delivers clean water from urban wastewater treatment plants to communities that need it and is an essential part of a nation’s public infrastructure. The pipes transport a large volume of pressurized water to areas that depend on piped water to deliver clean water from city wastewater treatment plants.
If you live in a city or suburb, your home is most likely connected to the city’s water system. Thus, the main line that supplies water to your home is considered a branch line that connects to the main line of the city or suburb. The water line should run from your property line to the water meter and it supplies fresh water to your home. Water mains are laid underground and most of them can last up to 50 years if they are not damaged (e.g. during excavations).
Perhaps you live in an old house and have noticed some signs that it’s time to replace the water supply. What’s next? What is the cost of replacing the water supply that you will face? There are many factors that determine the exact amount, but in general, the cost to replace a main water line will be quoted per linear meter because water lines vary in length.
The average cost of one meter of water pipe replacement ranges from $75 to $225. The cost depends on the method of installation, the price set by the contractor you choose, the length of the water line (houses located further from the road usually pay more), and the materials used.
The cost of a complete replacement of the water supply system ranges from $1,500 to $12,000. The national average is about $3,750 for a 25-foot galvanized steel water main laid using the trenchless method, which is a popular choice of material and method of water main installation.
If your water line is shorter than 25 feet, you can pay as little as $1,125. But if you own a large plot of land in the suburbs, your water line may be up to 100 feet long. You could be billed up to $12,000 or more for this.
If you need a commercial plumbing repair, you can go to the page in the link and familiarize yourself with our offer.
How to Replace a Water Main by Myself?
Perhaps your home has insufficient water pressure or the water supply system is faulty. If you find yourself in either of these situations, you should know that you can replace the water main – the main pipe that supplies water – on your own. By doing this, you will save a lot of your personal costs. Here’s how to do it.
Things you will need:
- A grafting shovel. A grafting shovel is a thinner and longer version of a regular shovel. While a regular shovel can still be used for this task, you will save a lot of time and energy by using a grafting spade.
- Pipe (25 mm, blue plastic). If your soil conditions are considered normal, you will need this type of pipe. Make sure your pipe has plugs.
- Air duct (100 m in diameter).
- Expanding foam filler and bubble wrap. This will be used to seal the air ducts. The expanding foam filler will be used to wrap the ductwork and the bubble wrap will be used for the inside of the ductwork.
- Pipe insulation.
- Construction sand. Used for lining the inside of the trench.
- Connectors and pipe sleeves. You will need a 15mm to 25mm adapter to connect the new pipe to the existing pipe in your home.
- Optional: A plastic shut-off valve. You can save some money by simply reusing an old stopcock.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the step-by-step instructions on how to replace a water main that our specialists have developed especially for you.
Step 1
Locate your water pipe, as well as all other utilities, including gas, electricity, and television. Make sure the new pipe is at least 350 mm away from them. This is to ensure that the utilities have the necessary insulation against water penetration.
Step 2
Dig the outer trench. Make it narrow, so that it extends from the front of the house to the end of the plot. The depth of the trench should be at least 750 mm to avoid damage to the pipe due to frost or any external physical pressure.
Step 3
Find the place where the current water supply enters the house. Just make this hole a little bigger by digging it out. This is done for the convenience of performing the necessary work.
Step 4
Insert the pipe into this hole. You can leave the current pipe nearby.
Step 5
Fill in the gaps around the pipe. This is where you’ll need some polyurethane foam. Fill the gaps from the outside and inside of the wall with it. Be sure to do this step carefully and check the result.
Step 6
Seal the pipe. Use plugs and tape to do this. They will prevent dirt from getting inside.
Step 7
Put construction sand in the bottom of the trench. This will protect your pipe.
Step 8
Lay the new pipe. Lay the new pipe to the edge where your section ends. This will require a little pushing. Make sure you have at least 1 meter of pipe at the edge of your section so that the pipe can be connected to the main water supply.
Step 9
Insulate the pipe under the house.
Step 10
Seal the hole around the pipe. Simply take the bubble wrap and push it into the pipe.
Conclusion
The main water line that extends to your home from the city water supply costs on average $1,500 to $12,000.
Your water pipes may have reached the end of their useful life and are no longer able to perform their intended functions. Then they need to be replaced.
You have only two ways to solve the problem: you can hire someone to fix it for you, or you can try to do it yourself.
Of course, it’s much safer and more reliable to call a handyman.
Replacing a water line can be a big project, and it’s important to know the average cost of replacing a water line before you start. There are many factors that can affect the cost of water line replacement, such as those mentioned above.
When you’re ready to replace your water line, be sure to find a qualified contractor to do the job. You can ask friends or family members for recommendations, search online, or read online reviews to find a good contractor. Or contact our team of qualified specialists to carry out repairs of any complexity backflow repair to repairing a water pressure repair near you.
FAQ about the cost of replacing the plumbing and can you do it yourself?
The cost of replacing a water main will depend on several factors such as the length of the water main, the depth of the pipe, the location of the pipe, and the type of material used for replacement.
The cost of replacing a water main can vary widely, but on average it can cost between $3,000 to $10,000 or more.
Replacing a water main is a complex and labor-intensive process that should only be done by a licensed plumber. Attempting to replace a water main yourself can result in serious damage to your property or injury to yourself.
One way to reduce the cost of replacing a water main is to have a professional plumber conduct a video inspection to accurately determine the extent of the damage and identify the most cost-effective solution.
In some cases, homeowners insurance may cover the cost of replacing a water main if the damage was caused by a covered peril. However, it’s important to check with your insurance provider to determine if this coverage is included in your policy.
